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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
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Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Published on: April 7, 2021
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
1Section of Respirology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
BMJ Clinical Evidence
|March 17, 2011
Summary
This systematic review evaluates interventions for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe lung condition. It found evidence on corticosteroids, ventilation strategies, nitric oxide, and prone positioning for ARDS patients.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) involves severe respiratory failure with diffuse lung infiltrates and hypoxemia.
- Causes include direct lung injury (pneumonia, aspiration) and indirect injury (sepsis, trauma).
- ARDS carries a high mortality rate, with survivors potentially facing long-term respiratory or cognitive issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effects of various interventions in adult patients diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted, searching major databases up to December 2009.
- Included studies comprised systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and observational studies.
- Harms alerts from regulatory agencies were also incorporated.
Main Results:
- Twenty systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.
- The review analyzed data on interventions such as corticosteroids, low tidal-volume mechanical ventilation, nitric oxide, prone positioning, and protective ventilation.
Conclusions:
- The systematic review provides information on the effectiveness and safety of key interventions for ARDS.
- Findings cover corticosteroids, low tidal-volume mechanical ventilation, nitric oxide, prone position, and protective ventilation strategies.
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